Chevrolet to bring 11 children from around the world to Old Trafford for special experience with Manchester United

Inspiring children will serve as mascots for Manchester United’s first Premier League match of the season, attend club’s soccer school, receive tour of Old Trafford and meet members of first team and club legends

Boys and girls are from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa, South Korea and the United States

DETROIT – Chevrolet today announced it is bringing 11 children from around the world to Manchester, England, this week to serve as mascots for Manchester United’s Premier League season-opener on Saturday at Old Trafford.

The children – aged 10 to 12 from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa, South Korea and the United States – are visiting as part of Chevrolet’s ‘What Do You #PlayFor?’ campaign to bring football fans closer to the sport and spread the power of play around the world.

“Enabling these children to live the dream of being on the Old Trafford pitch with the Manchester United first team is an unprecedented and dramatic way to celebrate our global partnership with the club and our mission to spread the power of play around the world,” said Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer, Global Chevrolet. “Watching them walk onto the pitch is sure to inspire football fans everywhere, and certainly will be special for their families and friends, as well as everyone at Chevrolet and Manchester United.”

In addition to serving as mascots, the children will attend Manchester United’s famed soccer school, meet club legends, be taken on a tour of the club’s iconic Old Trafford stadium, and more.

“We are delighted to welcome such a diverse line up of mascots to Old Trafford,” Manchester United Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold said. “This is the first time our mascots have travelled from such a wide range of countries and the occasion truly demonstrates the club’s global fan base and worldwide appeal. It is rare for 11 mascots to lead out the team and their inclusion shows both Manchester United and Chevrolet’s desire to mark this very special day.”

The children were selected to serve as mascots due in part to their determination and ability to overcome a variety of challenges, and use play to create hope, optimism and possibilities. Beginning this week, www.ChevroletFC.com will feature the stories of each of the children:

Naely / Brazil

Anna / China

Yan / China

Akash / India

Kshitij / India

Fergie / Indonesia

Syffia / Indonesia

Mfanelo / South Africa

Nokuthula / South Africa

Daeyoung / South Korea

Jasmine / United States

Since announcing its partnership with Manchester United in 2012, Chevrolet has used football to spread the power of play worldwide, including donating nearly one million nearly-indestructible balls from the One World Futbol Project for use by more than 26 million youth in 60-plus countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Chevrolet also recently revitalized a pitch in Bandung, Indonesia, on behalf of a local organization that uses soccer to increase the quality of life for people living with HIV and drug addiction, and Chevrolet donated a pop‑up pitch and pickup truck and trailer to help transform gang-laden streets in Chicago into a place where children can play and learn valuable life skills.

To celebrate its new, seven-year Manchester United shirt sponsorship, Chevrolet is inviting fans around the world to upload photos of themselves wearing a digital version of the new shirt at www.ChevroletFC.com. Chevrolet also recently released a video on www.ChevroletFC.com featuring Manchester United players, legends and fans paying homage to the history of the club’s shirts that has already attracted more than 10 million views.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About Manchester United

Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth. Through our 136-year heritage we have won 62 trophies, enabling us to develop the world’s leading sports brand and a global community of 659 million followers. Our large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and match day.

Jasmine of Chicago is one of 11 children from around the world heading to Manchester, England, to serve as mascots for Manchester United’s Premier League season-opener on Saturday, August 16, 2014. The children – ages 10-13 from Brazil, China, South Africa, South Korea and the United States, among others – are visiting as part of Chevrolet’s “What Do You #PlayFor?” campaign to bring football fans closer to the sport and spread the power of play around the world.

Mfanelo of South Africa is one of 11 children from around the world heading to Manchester, England, to serve as mascots for Manchester United’s Premier League season-opener on Saturday, August 16, 2014. The children – ages 10-13 from Brazil, China, South Africa, South Korea and the United States, among others – are visiting as part of Chevrolet’s “What Do You #PlayFor?” campaign to bring football fans closer to the sport and spread the power of play around the world.

Anna of China is one of 11 children from around the world heading to Manchester, England, to serve as mascots for Manchester United’s Premier League season-opener on Saturday, August 16, 2014. The children – ages 10-13 from Brazil, China, South Africa, South Korea and the United States, among others – are visiting as part of Chevrolet’s “What Do You #PlayFor?” campaign to bring football fans closer to the sport and spread the power of play around the world.